Hydraulic air-compressor



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. N. MGLEAN.

HYDRAULIC AIR COMPRESSOR.

Patented May 11, 1886.

(No Model.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet; 2. J. N. MCLBAN.

HYDRAULIC AIR COMPRESSOR. n No. 341,673. Patented Mey 1l, 1886.

WI TJVESSES //m wel. da@

is common to inventions of this class, it com- AUNITED STATES JOHN ii.

HYDRAULIC AIR PATENT OEEICEO COMPRESSOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,673, dated May l1, 1886.

Application filed September D, 1885.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, JOHN N. MOLEAN, ofthe city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydraulic Air- Compressors, ot' which the following is a complete description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part hereof.

My invention relates to that class of aircompressors which derive their power from water flowing under pressure, and is more especially designed for compressing air into barrels or kegs containing beer, ale, porter, or other liquid, for the purpose of maintaining a pressure upon such liquids, and thus causing them to retain their componentgases, and supplying the power to cause the flow of such liquids through pipes wherever desired, but it will be equally well adapted for many other uses.

My object is the production of an automatic machine the operative parts of which will be simple and easy to make, and arranged with relation to each other so as to form au efcient Working mechanism which will not be liable to become obstructed or deranged, and which will not be subject to rapid wear. As

prises a water throttle or regulator, a compressionehamber, a lloat, air and water inlet and outlet valves, operating mechanisms, and suitable pipe-connections, my invention, consisting in novel devices employed and the novel arrangement and combinations of parts, together with the construction of certain of t Ae parts, as is more fully set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, Figurel is alongitudinal vertical section through the center, places being broken to show parts in the rear. Fig. 2 is the under side of the base-plate. Fig. 3 is the under side of the top plate, showing the contour of a recess contained therein, and the plan of the inlet air-valve and forked lever; Fig. 4, an enlarged sectional view of the water-valve and casing. Fig. 5 is a sectional View of the water-valve and casing, showing a modification. Fig. 6 is aperspective view of the Water-valve and connecting-rods, also the lower end of the float-stem. Fig. 7 is a sectional View of the water-valve, also the lower Serial No. 176,588. (No modul.)

end of the float-stem, showing a modiication.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the lign res.

The compres ion-chamber A is made by binding a casing-cylinder, a, preferably of glass, between a base-plate, B, and top plate, C, by means of binding-rods b b, suitable packing being placed in the joints.

The base-plate B is formed in the shape of a funnel with lugs c c projecting from its rim. On the under side of these lugs are sockets c' c, adapted to receive the legs b b', which are hollow. The bindingi'ods bb pass through these legs and the lugs c c, and through corresponding lugs, c c, on the top plate, C, on the upper side of which are bosses 0 c, upon which the binding-rod nuts b b are firmly screwed. Pins, as shown at b'", serve to pre- Vent the bindingrods from pulling from the lugs c c on the base-plate B. On the under side of the base-plate Bis a short neck, d, which eucircles the only opening in the baseplate. This opening is rabbeted, so as to form a socket adapted for the reception of the water-valve case D, which has on its upper end a flange, d', having a rib formed to correspond and lit therein, and through which it is screwed to the neck d. This valve-case D is a cylinder enlarged at each end for chambers fandf, and'has an inlet waterconnection, g, at one end and an outlet water-connection, g', at the other communicating with the chambersj" and f, respectively, the chamber f being closed with a screw-plug, t', having a flange, t', which is knurled or scalloped, so as to afford a convenient hand-grip for screwing it in or out.

The regulator E is joined to the inlet-connection k, communicating with chamberf of the water val ve case D. This regulator is constructed with an outer case composed of three sections, Z, Z', and Z. Between the section Zand section Z is clamped a liexible diaphragm, m, having appended to it by arms m ma tube or sleeve, in, the upper end or" which is adaptedto serve as the seat for a valve, n, and this tube slides over another tube, m, which is fixed in the bot-tom of section Z and extends upward toward the diaphragm. Through this tube passes the stem of the valve a, the head or valve part being between the seat on the upper end IOO of the tube m and the diaphragm m, where it is allowed room to lift and fall. Its stem at the lower end passes through an arch, a', xed to the under side of the bottom of section Z, and is there provided with a stopnut, n, which is so adjusted as to allow the valve a to lit't a proper distance for the passage of water when the diaphragm m is in its normal position, where the spring Zi tends to keep it. The tension or pressure of the spring L/ may be increased or diminished, as desired, by turning` the thumb-screw h, within which it is located at the top of section Z. On the bottom of section Z is an annular groove, in which is fitted a detachable filtering device, P, which may be made ot' any suitable form or material. I prefer a cone, p, of perforated sheet metal, covered with felt cloth. Around and about this filter a chamber, P, is formed by and within the lower section of the case Z, which is also made detachable, so that it may be taken ot'f and the filter cleaned or changed when desired. A pctcock, O, communicates with this chamber P', the opening of which will permit a ilow of water through t-he chamber F to carry with it whatever may have lodged on the outside oi'the tilter P. The section Z terminates in a neck properly threaded for connectingpipe, and having the inlet water-passage.

Upon the top end of the water-valve case D a iianged cap, r, is fitted, having openings r r through its sides for the passage of the water in and out ot' the chamber A. The upper part of this cap is a short cylinder closed at the top end, which is, however, pierced with one or more holes, through which pass a Y guiding pin or pins, s, fixed on the lower end of the tloat-stem F; also a connecting rod or rods, t, attached to the water-valve G. This water-valve G is a tube open at both ends, the water-passage being through itlongitudinally, its upper end being surrounded with a iiange, L, which may be oblong and have the rod or rods t attached to it, as shown at Fig. 6, or it may be round and the rod or rods t attached to the tube, as shown at Fig. 5.

The water-valve G may or may not have an auxiliary valve or sleeve, G', accordingly as it may be desired to have the inlet-How through the chamberfat the top end and the outletiiow through the water-valve and chamber f at the bottom end of the valve-case D, or the inlet-flow through the chamber f and through the water-valve and the outlet-flow through the chamberf at the top end ofthe valve-case D. In the former case the water-valve is provided with a seat for its upper end around on the margin of the opening through the top of the chamberf, and tor its lower end on the top ot' the screwplug 1'-, which closes the chamber f', as shown at Fig. 5, and the body of the water-valve is fitted to till the bore ot' the cylinder in the case D, and play therein longitudinally a proper distance to effect the opening and closing ofthe water-ways at its ends. In the latter case the water-valve G is provided with the auxiliary valve or sleeve G,

which is intervened between it and the cylinder of the valve-case D, the bore of which it is made to t closely. It also fits closely on the water-valve D, but so as to allow of free longitudinal movement. Its inside bore is enlarged at the bottom end, so as to reduce the thickness of its shell, in order that it may be easily expanded by the pressure ofthe Water, thus furnishing a inode ofpacking. The bore of its upper end is enlarged into an ample chamber to provide rooni for the flange t at the top end of the water-valve G. This auxiliary valve or sleeve G passes through the opening in the top of the chamber f, and is at that part reduced'in diameter,so as to allow a passage for water all around it. After passing through the opening in the top of chamber f it is again enlarged to a diameter greater than that of the opening, and formed so that it is adapted to operate as a valve therein, its seat being around on the upper margin there of. It then extends on upward into the cyliiidrical part of the cap r of the case D, being loosely tted therein and so arranged as to leave room for longitudinal movement stiflicient to fully open the water-way through the top ofthe chamber f before its movement is stopped by its striking thetop end of the said cylinder. Just below the lower end of said cylinder, and about opposite to the water-opeiiings i" in the cap r, water-passages are made in the enlarged part of the auxiliary valve G', so as to communicate with the chamber in the bore at its top end. In this case the` watervalve has a seat, G, provided on the inside of the end of the cylinder in the cap r, from and against which it is opened and closed by the action of the tloat H,which encirclcs the float-stem F, up and down which it is free to move. I prefer to make the iloatfstem F of square tubing, so as to have it hollow and light, and because its outside angles furnish narrow surfaces or ribs for the sliding or bearing surfaces which guide the float H in its movement up and down, thus avoiding fric tion and the liability of having its movement hindered or obstructed by particles of grit or other substance which may be floated in by the water.

The top end ofthe float-stem F has a crossbar, F, which is capable ot' adjustment by means of the adjusting-screw w, and it is held in place and guided in its -movement by a round hole, w', in the center ofthe top plate, G, which hole serves also for an outlet-passage for the air.

The bottom end of the floatstem F has tirinly xed upon it one or more guide-pins, s, which, as before stated, pass through holes in the cap r. It also has one or more lugs, u,

firmly fixed and projecting at right angles and adapted to slide on connecting rod or rods t of the water-valve G, which pass through these lugs u, and have nuts t adjusted upon their upper ends at such distance above the lugs u as to allow a longitudinal movement of the valve-stein F equal to the movement ofthe IOO TIO

atreva 3 water-valve G, which -is actuated by means thereof.

A light strong iloat, H, that will resist a great collapsing pressure, is made by joining the rims ot two shells with a lap, one over the other, having one rim corrugated, so as to form a shoulder for the other rim to jam against,

, cemented, or soldered.

outside.

The top plate, C, contains a recess opening into the compression-chamber, the contour of which is shown at y, Fig. 3. In this recess is pivoted a lever, z, forked at one end, which is made slightlyA heavier around the iioat-stem F and its cross-bar F', but so as not to come in Contact with either. The other end carries an outlet air-valve, l, which is fixed thereon, and has a pin, l', extending upward from its center, upon which is strung the inlet air-valve 2, which has a port through it provided with a seat adapted for seating the outlet-valve 1. About this port, so as to close it-on the outside or inside, as may be preferred-is a pad or washer, 2', of porousmaterial-such as sponge, rubber, felt cloth, or line coils of wire-through-which the air will ooze noiselessly when the outlet-Valve is opened. A nut, 2", is adjusted on the pin l', attaching loosely the inlet-valve 2, for which a seat is provided on the under side of the top plate. around on the margin of a chamber. 2"', the walls of which have perforations 2"", to the Thecap 3, inclosing the outlet airpassage w', also incloses an inverted shell, 3', on which is fixed a valve, 3', having its seat formed at the lower end of an air-passage, 4. in the top of the cap 3, at the upper end of which a check-valve, 4', has its seat and is inclosed by the bent coupling 5, which terminates in a connection for-pipe.

The operation is as follows: XVater under pressure enters through properly-connected pipes to the chamber P' of the regulator. Thereit permeates through the filter P,passing around the arch n', through the tubes m" and m', under the valve n, which, it will be observed, is adapted to operate as a check to prevent a backtlow, passing onward through the connecting-pipe k into the chamber f' of -tlie case D, `thence upward longitudinally through the water-valve G into the chamber in the top end of the auxiliary valve G', and from there through the'passage at r' into the compression chamber A, in which, as it rises, it compress` s thc contained air and forces it out through the outlet-passage w' at the top of the Boat-stem, and through notches w" in the top plate underneath and around the inverted shell, out through the air-passage 4 in the cap 3, and thence through properly connected pipes to wherever it may be required. The lioat H, being carried up by the rising of the water, strikes the cross-bar F' at the top of the float-stem, F, then lifting the float-stem F, the lugs a of which slide on the connectingrods t of the water-valve G until catching the nuts t' thereon they also are lifted and the watervalve G caused to rise and close on its seat G", thus stopping the intiow of water. About this time the iioat H has risen against the forked end of the lever z and caused it to oscilate, thus opening the outlet-valve port and permitting a discharge of air, thus reducing the pressure in the chamber A, so that the pressure of the water in the chamber j" of the case D will act on the lower end of the auxiliary valve or sleeve G', causing it t0 rise and open the water-way in the top of the chamber f, through which the water will then liow from the chamber A out through the outlet-connection g' until the chamber A is nearly emptied, and the iioat H is carried down and presses the top end ot' the connecting-rods t, and through them carries down the water-valve G from its Seat, thus permitting an iniiow of water, the reaction of which will cause the auxiliary valve or sleeve G' to fall with its own weight and close the water-way in the chamberf. In the meantime the inlet air-valve 2 has been forced from its seat by atmospheric pressure, and chamber A is again charged with air drawn in through the chamber 2"', this alternate operation being continuously repeated. Should the water ever by any chance rise up in the chamber A and pass through the outlet-airway w' in the center of the top plate, it

would seal up the bottom of the shell 3' andA cause it to float up until the valve 3" would be seated on the lower end of the air-passage 4 in the cap 3, and thus effectually stop the further passage of the water. When it is .desired to take out the cylinder a, to wash it, or for any other purpose, the binding rod nuts are un- Screwed and the binding-rod b permitted to drop into the legs b', where they will be held in an out-of-the-way position, and yet conven-` ient for replacing. rlhe top plate, C, can then be removed without affecting the valves or the operating parts below, and the cylinder a can be removed with safety and ease. desired to draw the water out ofthe chamber A and the Valve-case D, the screw plug z' can readily be unscrewed from the bottom of the valve-case D, when the water will all run out. The back-pressure from the chamber A out through to the regulator will cause the diaphragm on to rise and carry with it the tube m" until its upper end closes on the valve n, thus stopping the in'tiow of water whenever the required pressure is attained, to regulate for which the thumb-screw h, containing the spring h', is screwed in for stronger pressure and out for lesser pressure.

ISO

Having thus described my invention and eX- plained its operation, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a hydraulic air-compressor, the combination of top and bottom plates, as C B, and intervening casing, these parts forming a coinpression -chamber, with the hollow legs attached to the bottom plate, and the bindingrods b 11,-which connect the top and bottom plates, and which are arranged to slide into the hollow legs when disconnected, as and `for the purpose described.

2. As an article of manufacture, a baseplate of an air-compressor provided with a seat on its upper side for the compression chamber or casing, and with perforated lugs at its periphery, said lugs being socketed on the under -side for the reception of legs, as shown and described.

3. In an air-compressor of the character de` scribed, the base-plate B, provided withaseat on its under side for the valve-chamber, in combination with a valve-chamber, as D, consisting of a cylinder enlarged at both ends to form chambers, one of said chambers being provided with an inlet-opening and the other with an outlet-opening, and a tubular reciproeating valve arranged in said valve-chamber.

4. In combination with a hydraulic aircompressor of the character herein described, a throttle or regulator consisting of a suitable casing provided with water inlet and outlet passages, a iiexible diaphragm in said casing, a tube connected to and carried by said diaphragm and communicating with the waterinlet, and a valve which operates in connection with the tube.

5. The combination of the following elements: a device for filtering water, a waterthrottle or pressure-regulating device, a compression-chamber having inlet and outlet air and water valves, and suitable pipes for connecting said elements with each other.

6. In connection with a hydraulic aircompressor, a combined water tilter and regulator having a discharge-cock communicating with the chamber in `which the lter is inclosed, for the purpose substantially as set forth.

7. In a hydraulic air-compressor, a watervalve consisting of a tube havinga water way or port longitudinally through it and open at each end, one of which ends is adapted to close upon a seat, in combination with a casing in which it is adapted to move longitudinally, and which has an inlet-connection at one end and an outlet-connection at the other, substantially as described.

8. In combination with a hydraulic aircompressor, a water-valve consisting of a casing, as D, provided with water inlet and outlet passages, a reciprocating tubular valve arranged therein, and an auxiliary tubular reciprocating valve surrounding the 'rstnamed valve and adapted to close the outletpassages, as shown and described.

l 9. In a hydraulic air-compressor having a i compression-chamber in which aiioatis guided in its movements up and down by a rod or stem, a float stem or rod having ribs or angles extending longitudinally on its outside, which form narrow guiding or sliding surfaces, kin combination with a float encircling the saine and adapted to slide or be guided thereon, for the purpose set forth.

l0. In a hydraulic air-compressor, the combination of a float, a oatstem having one or more lugs fixed on its lower end adapted to slide over a connecting rod vor rods, t, and a water-valve having the said Aconnecting rod or rods attached, these rods and valves being Iadapted to be vactuated one way by the lifting of the iioat and float-stem and the other way by the direct action of the float pressing upon their top ends, in the manner andfor the purpose set forth.

v1l. In. a hydraulic air compressor, a -oat constructed substantially as described and consisting of the following constituent parts: two shells, one of which has its rim corrugated to form a lap and shoulder for receiving the other, a tubular supporting post or brace, the ends of which are reduced,so as to form shoulders for bracing-Washers to rest on, also bracing-washers which are adapted to t around the reduced ends of'said post and to furnish a bracing-support to the shells, in the manner set forth.

l2. In a hydraulic air-compressor having a compressioncharuber with inlet and outlet air and water valves, an air-inlet valve having an outlet-port through it provided with a seat adapted for seating an outlet-valve, in combination with an outlet-valve arranged and adapted for operating thereon, and means for operating said valve. v

13. In an air-compressor of the character shown and described, an airoutlet valve con` sisting of a port, a valve to closeand open the same, and a porous washer arranged to cover the port, as and for the purpose described.

14. In a hydraulic air-compressor, an inletvalve having an outlet-port through it, with a seat adapted for seating an outlet-valve, in combination with an outlet-valve, a pivoted lever, and a float for actuating the same, in the manner substantially as described.

15. The combination, with the casing of a compression-chamber, of a top plate having lugs projecting from its rim, on the upper side of which are bosses, aset of binding-rods having ornamental nuts which seat on said bosses, and a base-plate having perforated lugs projecting from its rim, the under side of which form sockets adapted for the attachment of legs arranged in the manner substantially as specified.

JOHN N. MCLEAN.

Witnesses:

Giras. F. PAGE, C. S. BUNDY.

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